Sunset fell over the peaks, drawing its light back over the mountains as the Thunderhawks dropped onto the platforms hidden by cunningly wrought spurs of rock. They had come down fast and hard from orbit, but warily, like scavenger beasts approaching feast-prey that should be dead, but might yet have life within it.

當(dāng)雷鷹炮艇們降落在隱藏在精心雕飾過(guò)的巖臺(tái)間的停機(jī)坪上時(shí)，夕陽(yáng)正從山峰上垂落，將光芒重新反射到群山之上。這些炮艇快速而猛烈地從星球軌道上俯沖降落下來(lái)，但他們飛行得也很謹(jǐn)慎，就像一只食腐野獸在接近將死卻未死的獵物。

Captain Daegan straightened his cloak as vortices of turbulent air threatened to tear it from the midnight curves of his battleplate. Behind him, two squads of Sable Swords formed up as he strode down the assault ramp to the landing platform. He kept his helmet hooked at his belt, one hand resting on its freshly-forged smoothness, the other on the textured grip of the bolter he had yet to fire in anger.

代根連長(zhǎng)拉直了他的披風(fēng)——猛烈的氣旋可能把這件織物順著他那午夜般漆黑的動(dòng)力甲的弧形甲面上扯下來(lái)。當(dāng)他大步走下攻擊坡道，走向登陸平臺(tái)時(shí)，他身后的兩支黑劍星際戰(zhàn)士小隊(duì)列隊(duì)站好。他將自己的頭盔在腰帶上掛好，一只手?jǐn)R在頭盔鑄成不久的光滑表面上，另一只手則握住了爆彈槍那帶有紋理的槍把——這柄武器還未曾噴射過(guò)他的怒火。

'No one here to greet us,' said Kaas, the youthful Apothecary with a disappointed grunt.

“沒(méi)人來(lái)迎接我們啊，”卡艾斯說(shuō)。這位年輕的藥劑師失望地咕噥到。

"Would you welcome those who are to replace you?' asked Carden, Daegan's equerry and personal champion.

“你會(huì)歡迎一群前來(lái)取代你的人們？”卡爾登——代根的侍從武官和親隨勇士反問(wèn)到。

'Enough,' said Daegan.?'This is a solemn business we are on. Do not sully it.'

“夠了，”代根說(shuō)到，“我們?cè)趫?zhí)行的是一項(xiàng)莊嚴(yán)的任務(wù)，放尊重點(diǎn)兒?！?/p>

Both warriors nodded, understanding they had overstepped their bounds.

兩位戰(zhàn)士都點(diǎn)了點(diǎn)頭，他們明白自己的言論越界了。

Daegan stepped from the shadow of the Thunderhawk's fog of exhaust fumes and atmospheric venting. The platform was deserted, as he had suspected it would be, but he knew that those who called this place home were watching them even now.

代根穿過(guò)了雷鷹的尾氣煙霧和排氣管所投下的影子。就像他預(yù)料的那樣，停機(jī)坪上空寂無(wú)人，但他知道：哪怕現(xiàn)在，那些將此地稱為家園的人們也在注視著他們。

Before him, a towering portal of timber and bronze stood unbarred, like the gate of an abandoned fortress that has long since been sacked. This was no war-way, but a ceremonial entrance, a route within the mountain that reached nowhere of strategic value. Its appearance was decorative only, a means of inspiring awe in the easily impressed.

在他面前，一座硬木和青銅制成的高大華門敞開著，它似乎是某座在很久之前就被洗劫一空的廢棄要塞的正門。這并非一條戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)通道，而是一個(gè)儀式性的入口，是群山間一條沒(méi)有任何戰(zhàn)略價(jià)值的通路。它的外表只是一種裝飾，用來(lái)在那些容易受觸動(dòng)的人心中喚起敬畏之情的手段而已。

Daegan set off towards the portal, Kaas and Carden neatly falling into position at his sides, and the squads of black-armoured warriors marching in perfect lockstep behind him. Carden bore a shield of black in one hand, emblazoned with twin crossed swords in ivory, while his other rested on ; the pommel of a dark sabre belted at his waist. Kaas bore a dipped banner with the same heraldic device, a badge of honour that was yet new and felt ancient at the same time.

代根向大門走去，卡艾斯和卡爾登整齊地跟在他身旁，兩支身穿黑色動(dòng)力甲的星際戰(zhàn)士小隊(duì)則邁著完美的步伐跟在他身后?？柕堑囊恢皇稚蠋е幻婧谏亩芘?，上面裝飾著一對(duì)象牙白色的交叉雙劍，另一只手則放松著；他的腰間還系著一柄黑色的軍刀?？ò骨嬷幻鎺в邢嗤y章圖案的軍旗，這是一個(gè)新穎的榮譽(yù)徽章，卻又同時(shí)讓人覺(jué)得古老。

They were not the first to bear this device, but they would do it honour.

他們并非是第一批佩戴上這個(gè)紋章的星際戰(zhàn)士，但他們會(huì)為這個(gè)紋章增添榮耀。

The exterior of the mountain reeked of abandonment, and the interior no less so. Beyond the portal, a chamber with its vaulted roof lost in shadows echoed to the sound of their footfalls, where it ought to ring with the clamour of warriors preparing to sally forth on war-making. Dust hung heavy on the hooded statues and only the flickering glow of trimmed lumen- flames illuminated the once grand vestibule.

這座山的外部散發(fā)著一股被遺棄的氣息，內(nèi)部也是如此。門的另一邊是有一間拱頂隱沒(méi)在陰影中的房間，他們的腳步聲在屋中回蕩著——這里本該響起那些準(zhǔn)備投入戰(zhàn)斗的戰(zhàn)士們的吶喊聲。戴著兜帽的雕像上浮著一層濃重的灰塵，只有裝飾用流明火焰放出忽隱忽現(xiàn)的微弱光芒，照亮了曾經(jīng)宏偉的門廳。

A floating skull encased in electrum hovered in the centre of the chamber, its eyes unblinking blue orbs. An oil-burning lantern hung from the skull's jaws, and it flitted away with a hum of a miniature repulsor field as they approached. Daegan and his warriors set off after the skull as it floated just ahead of them, leading them ever onwards, through cavernous hallways and empty processionals.

一個(gè)包覆著琥珀金外殼的伺服顱骨盤旋在房間的中央，藍(lán)色的電子眼一眨不眨。伺服顱骨的下巴上掛著一盞油燈，當(dāng)星際戰(zhàn)士們走近時(shí)，這臺(tái)小機(jī)器發(fā)出一陣微型反斥力場(chǎng)的嗡鳴聲，飛向一邊。代根和他的戰(zhàn)士們跟在伺服顱骨后方，伺服顱骨也漂浮在他們前方，帶領(lǐng)著他們不斷前進(jìn)，穿過(guò)洞穴般的門廳和空蕩蕩的走廊。

The bobbing skull plunged deeper and farther into the mountain. Shadows retreated from its lantern, and the sightless eyes of the statues followed them as they descended grand stairways and triumphal avenues that no longer resounded to the battle chants of departing warriors and returning heroes.

上下浮動(dòng)著的伺服顱骨領(lǐng)著星際戰(zhàn)士們向山的更深處走去。雕像無(wú)神的雙眼注視著他們走下寬闊的樓梯和凱旋大道——離去戰(zhàn)士與榮歸英雄們的戰(zhàn)吼本該響徹這里。

A thousand warriors once lived and trained here, and the void of their presence clung to the interior of the mountain like an unwelcome blight. Daegan felt the aching sense of loss that bled from every stone of the mountain.

一千名戰(zhàn)士曾在這里生活和受訓(xùn)，但他們現(xiàn)在缺席了，這種空虛感就像不受歡迎的惡病那般籠罩在這座山的內(nèi)部。代根覺(jué)得山上每一塊石頭上都流淌著失落的痛苦。

'Death shrouds this place,' said Kaas, echoing Daegan's thoughts. 'We should not plant our flag in so ill-favoured a place.'

“死亡像裹尸布一樣蒙住了這里?！笨ò沟脑拺?yīng)和了代根的想法?！拔覀儾粦?yīng)該把自己的戰(zhàn)旗插在這樣一個(gè)不幸的地方?！?/p>

'Much honour was won by the warriors who dwelled here,' pointed out Daegan.

“但那些曾經(jīng)居住于此的戰(zhàn)士們也贏得了諸多榮譽(yù)”，代根指出。

Kaas shook his head. 'New beginnings should not start with death, no matter how nobly won it was.'

卡艾斯搖了搖頭，“無(wú)論死亡是多么高貴，新的起點(diǎn)不應(yīng)該以它作為開始，”

Daegan wanted to disagree, but his orders were without ambiguity.

代根想要否認(rèn)，但他接受的命令也是明確的。

At length, the skull brought Daegan to a grand assembly hall, its gleaming walls painted with the colours of a dozen stained glass windows illuminated by an ingenious system of reflector wells that brought light into the heart of the mountain.

最后，頭骨把代根領(lǐng)入了一個(gè)大會(huì)議廳，閃閃發(fā)光的墻壁上涂畫著十幾扇彩窗，一個(gè)精巧的反射井系統(tǒng)將光線引入到到山體內(nèi)側(cè)，照亮了墻壁。

Thirty warriors armoured in silver stood ranked on a stepped rostrum at the far end of the chamber, bathed in the ruddy embers of the dying sun. A Dreadnought towered over them, a proud Chapter banner fluttering in an unseen wind that filled the chamber like a sigh of regret.

三十名身穿銀色動(dòng)力甲的戰(zhàn)士站在大廳遙遠(yuǎn)盡頭那階梯狀的圣壇上，他們沐浴在夕陽(yáng)余火般的紅光中。一臺(tái)無(wú)畏機(jī)甲聳立在他們中間，一面驕傲的戰(zhàn)團(tuán)旗幟在看不見(jiàn)的風(fēng)中飄揚(yáng)，這風(fēng)充滿了整個(gè)房間，仿佛是一聲遺憾的嘆息。

'I am Brother Thade,' said the Dreadnought. 'Master of the Astral Knights and lord of Obsidian.'

“我是賽德修士，”無(wú)畏機(jī)甲發(fā)聲到，“我是星界騎士的戰(zhàn)團(tuán)長(zhǎng)，也是黑曜星的領(lǐng)主?！?/p>

'Brother Captain Daegan of the Sable Swords, First Company.'

“我是來(lái)自漆黑長(zhǎng)劍戰(zhàn)團(tuán)第一連的修士連長(zhǎng)，代根?！?/p>

'You come to claim stewardship of our fortress-monastery and all its chattels?'

“你前來(lái)接管我們的要塞修道院和其中的所有物件？”

'I do,' said Daegan. 'As decreed by the Emperor and the High Lords of Terra.'

“是的，”代根回答到，“這是帝皇與泰拉高領(lǐng)主們的旨意。”

The Dreadnought stepped down from the rostrum and said, 'An ignoble end to a litany of honour few can equal. This mountain has been home to the warriors of the Astral Knights for a hundred lifetimes and it has seen the Imperium's greatest heroes march to war through its gates. Tell me why I should yield such a place to you.'

無(wú)畏機(jī)甲一步一步地走下圣壇，說(shuō)到：“這種結(jié)束方式對(duì)我們那幾乎無(wú)人能及的一系列榮譽(yù)來(lái)說(shuō)，可真是不光彩啊。一百代的星界騎士們都以這座高山作為家園，這座修道院見(jiàn)證了帝國(guó)最偉大的英雄們走出正門奔赴戰(zhàn)場(chǎng)。我憑什么將如此圣所拱手讓于你們？”

'Your numbers are too few to bear the burden of rebuilding your Chapter,' said Daegan, marching to stand before the Dreadnought. 'Your Chapter Master is dead. As are all your knights.'

“你們?nèi)藬?shù)太少，不足以承擔(dān)起重建戰(zhàn)團(tuán)的重?fù)?dān)，”代根答到，他走上前去，站在無(wú)畏面前，“你們的戰(zhàn)團(tuán)長(zhǎng)已經(jīng)陣亡了，就像你們所有的騎士那樣?！?/p>

'You tell me what I already know, whelp,' snapped Thade, and Daegan felt his warriors tense. This had always been the most likely outcome, that the decimated Chapter's survivors would not accept their fate.

“你說(shuō)的這些我都已經(jīng)知道了，小子，”賽德不耐煩地說(shuō)到，代根也發(fā)覺(jué)他的戰(zhàn)士們緊張了起來(lái)。這一直都是此類事件最有可能的結(jié)果：被毀滅戰(zhàn)團(tuán)的幸存者們不愿接受自己的宿命。

'Our brothers gave their lives so that billions would be spared the horror of the World Engine, and this is our reward?' roared the Dreadnought. 'To be stricken from the records and our holdings given to warriors with no history, whose blades are yet unblooded?'

“因?yàn)槲倚值軅兊膲蚜覡奚?，?shù)十億人才在那臺(tái)恐怖的世界引擎面前保住了命，然后這就是帝國(guó)賞給我們的獎(jiǎng)勵(lì)？”無(wú)畏咆哮到，“把我們從歷史記錄中剔除，并把我們的東西丟給一群毫無(wú)歷史的戰(zhàn)士？他們手中的劍甚至都未沾染過(guò)鮮血！”

Daegan shook his head. 'The Sable Swords may yet be young and untested, but we are not without honour and not without reverence?for those who have gone before us.'

代根搖了搖頭，“漆黑長(zhǎng)劍或許是個(gè)年輕且未經(jīng)受過(guò)考驗(yàn)的戰(zhàn)團(tuán)，但我們對(duì)于那些在我們之前犧牲的人們也并非毫無(wú)崇敬之心?！?/p>

'Just words,' said Thade, looming over Daegan, his fists thrumming with power. 'What deeds do you offer to match them?'

“虛言罷了，”賽德說(shuō)到，他逼近代根，揮舞著充滿力道的重拳，“你會(huì)獻(xiàn)上何等的事跡，讓自己與他們相稱？”

The Dreadnought could crush him in the blink of an eye, but Daegan met its steely gaze and said, 'I offer you the chance to continue the proud tradition of your order. Take ship from here and ply the stars as the Astral Knights once did, before they set down roots in stone and iron. Fight on in the Emperor's name until you can fight no more.'

無(wú)畏機(jī)甲能在眨眼間將他擊碎，但代根迎上了對(duì)方鋼鐵般冰冷的注視，說(shuō)到：“我會(huì)給你一個(gè)延續(xù)你們高傲傳統(tǒng)的機(jī)會(huì)。你們可以乘船離開這里，在群星間航行征戰(zhàn)，就像星界騎士們?cè)谠谶@座磐石與鋼鐵構(gòu)成的修道院之前所做的那樣。你們會(huì)以帝皇的名義奮戰(zhàn)，直到你們無(wú)力再戰(zhàn)?！?/p>

The Sable Swords stepped aside, leaving a path to the chamber's exit.

漆黑長(zhǎng)劍戰(zhàn)團(tuán)的戰(zhàn)士們分列兩側(cè)，流出一條通往房間出口的路。

'And when that day comes,' said Daegan, 'know that in death your duty has ended.'

“當(dāng)那一天到來(lái)時(shí)，”代根說(shuō)到，“你要知道，死亡才能終結(jié)你的職責(zé)?！?/p>